Name: Amy Blumenthal
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 18
Title/Company: President, ALRY Publications (formerly) and Professional Flutist
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Education: BM & BME, University of Colorado, MM, University of Michigan
Current personal or leadership goals:
Continue work as an Arts Advocate
If you could describe your Leadership Charlotte experience in three words or phrases, what would they be?
Interesting people!
What advice would you give to current Leadership Charlotte participants
Don’t think of the program as “networking” as much as learning as much as you can about Charlotte and how you can contribute.
What would you like to see Leadership Charlotte alumni get involved in and why?
Actively agree to leadership positions in Charlotte. Nonprofits are a wonderful place to start, but there are a number of other ways people can be involved. For example, taking part in informative conversations, organizing activities for entities involved with government and/or other organizations. Generally, just being involved in our community.
Greatest personal accomplishment and why: Again, arts funding, advocacy, and involvement. It has been my honor to be involved with numerous arts groups, both locally and nationally. Each year, one of my goals is to personally invite groups to get involved and enjoy a variety of performances and activities involving the arts. I worked to create a support group for the Charlotte Ballet, which now is very involved with fundraising. I spent a number of years with the arts and science council, working on grantmaking for a wide variety of groups, as well as assisting in fundraising. A priority has been making arts available to a wide variety of people from across the community.
Topic or area in Charlotte that you would like to learn more about and why:
How to get around South End!
What do you hope to be doing (differently) in five years?
Being alive!
What are you doing in the community these days? Working with lots of community affairs organizations, and spreading the word about innovation in our community.
I am involved with Wildacres Retreat and the Artists in Residence Program. And I’m currently on Advisory Boards for several of our local arts groups.
I’m currently on the Board of the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Martha Graham Dance Company. Additionally, I am working with several local universities on their arts programs as well as advising on arts management programs.